1952 Map of Thayer

About this map

The Chicago and North Western railway cuts through the heart of the Ottawa National Forest in this 1952 topographic study, connecting the timber-rich highlands of Gogebic County. Small rail-side settlements like Gogebic Station, Thayer, and Blacks Spur mark the transportation corridor, serving as vital links in an era when the railroad was the primary mover for the region's logging and recreational interests. The landscape is defined by its complex hydrology, featuring the South Branch Ontonagon River and numerous glacial lakes such as Beatons Lake and Little Beatons Lake. Significant elevation and surveillance points are noted at the Matchwood Lookout Tower and Watersmeet Lookout Tower, while natural landmarks like Kakabika Falls and Wolverine Falls emphasize the dramatic descent of the local waterways through the northern Michigan wilderness.